Doubt cast over ‘efficacy’ of common taping method

• A new review suggests there is "uncertain efficacy" regarding the commonly used kinesio tape (KT) for muscle and bone problems.
• Kinesio taping has been extensively used since the 1970s for musculoskeletal disorders and to increase mobility.
• A team from China examined 153 systematic reviews across 29 conditions, involving 15,812 patients, to assess KT's effectiveness.
• The review found that KT may reduce pain intensity and improve function in the immediate and short term, but the evidence for this is uncertain.
• Researchers concluded that KT likely has little to no effect on pain in the medium term, function in the short and medium term, muscle strength, range of motion, or disease-specific symptoms, with most evidence rated as very low certainty.